Hairy Biker Si King 'struggling' since Dave Myers' death

TV chef Si King expressed that the last few months have been quite a challenge for him after the passing of his Hairy Bikers co-star, Dave Myers.

Myers, who gained recognition alongside his longtime friend King as part of their cooking duo known for their motorcycle adventures, passed away at the age of 66 in February.

In 2022, Myers disclosed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and mentioned that he was receiving chemotherapy treatment.

In a personal piece for The Sunday Times, King, 57, shared that although he's often thought about "grabbing my bike and riding off into the sunset," he has chosen to do "exactly what Dave would have wanted" and keep pushing ahead.

"I'll be straight with you, the last few months have been really tough," King admitted.

There have been several moments when I felt ready to hop on my bike and ride off into the sunset.

"Keep it to myself where I was headed. Just disappear and never return."

There were moments when I felt overwhelmed with anger. I was furious at that awful illness, at God, and at anything else that came to mind. People kept asking me what my next steps would be.

I plan to spend some time looking back on the life I shared with my closest friend and consider what comes next.

"That's precisely what Dave would have wished for. Keep progressing and don’t get stuck in what’s already happened."

In June, a large group of motorcyclists journeyed from London to Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, which is the hometown of the late TV chef, for the inaugural Dave Day. This event was a tribute ride to commemorate his memory.

King has announced that he is compiling a new collection of beloved Hairy Bikers recipes and mentioned that "a couple of exciting projects are coming up soon."

"Even if I just end up making bacon sandwiches and playing a few shows with my band, that works for me. I'm good with that," he mentioned.

King referred to the final project the pair worked on together, which occurred following Myers' diagnosis, as "without a doubt the toughest experience I've ever faced."

He mentioned that Myers' condition was clear to see, but once the cameras began to roll, he would put on a tough front, ready to fight.

King reminisced about the moments he had with Myers, especially a camping adventure in Namibia. During that trip, they had a profound experience together as they gazed up at the African sky, truly encountering their galaxy for the first time.

He reminisced about how their bond was formed while enjoying "a tandoori chicken masala, four poppadoms, and three pints of lager" after they met on the set of the TV show The Gambling Man in 1992.

"We started talking because of our shared interest in motorbikes, but it quickly became clear that Dave was just as passionate about food as I am," he explained.

The duo made their television debut together in 2004 on The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, which blended cooking and travel elements. In the inaugural episode, they journeyed across Portugal on their bikes.

King mentioned that people frequently ask him whether the Hairy Bikers have established a lasting legacy.

"I'd like to believe we have had a small impact in various ways," he remarked.

"Just two everyday guys trying their hand at making beef rendang or apple pie. We're hoping to engage folks who usually don't tune into fancy cooking shows on television."

King remarked, "People from working-class backgrounds in the north, who might be considered overweight and unpolished, rarely receive chances like those offered to the Hairy Bikers."

It was a wonderful and enchanting experience, and I will definitely miss it. I will miss him, too. However, I have a future ahead of me, and I'm looking forward to what lies ahead.